invent

verb

in·​vent in-ˈvent 

invented; inventing; invents

transitive verb

1

: to produce (something, such as a useful device or process) for the first time through the use of the imagination or of ingenious thinking and experiment

2

: to devise by thinking : fabricate

3

archaic : find, discover

inventor

in-ˈven-tər 

noun

inventress

in-ˈven-trəs 

noun

Synonyms of invent

• devise
• concoct
• construct

Examples of invent in a Sentence

Thomas Edison invented the phonograph.

She is credited with inventing a procedure that has helped to save thousands of lives.

She invented a clever excuse.

We found out that he had invented the stories he told us about his military service.

Recent Examples on the Web

What to do nearby The sea around these parts is where legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau invented scuba diving. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026

The Moreno brothers, who grew up in Puebla, Mexico, did not invent birria or its deployment on tortillas gilded in beef fat. —Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026

Zero-knowledge proofs, invented in 1985 by the cryptographers Shafi Goldwasser, Silvio Micali, and Charles Rackoff, don’t have this drawback. —Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 11 May 2026

Originally invented by Swiss engineer Jean-Léon Reutter in 1928, the Atmos operates using tiny fluctuations in air temperature. —Taylor Stoddard, Robb Report, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inventus, past participle of invenire to come upon, find, from in- + venire to come — more at come

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing invent

• co-invent

Rhymes for invent

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event

Kids Definition

invent

verb

in·​vent in-ˈvent 

1

: to think up : make up

invent an excuse

2

: to create or produce for the first time

invented a new game

inventor

-ˈvent-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

invent

transitive verb

in·​vent

: to create or produce for the first time

inventor noun